Attempt to rape, murder woman judicial officer

In Uttar Pradesh, where a series of sex crimes in the past few days have rekindled the debate on safety of women in the country, two men attempted to rape a woman judicial officer at her official residence in Aligarh district.

The accused, Pankaj Gupta and Gopal Gupta, both distant relatives of the officer, broke into her first-floor flat on Sunday night using a ladder.

The woman raised an alarm when they tried to outrage her modesty. However, the duo force-fed her some pesticide and stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth before escaping.

The incident came to light on Monday morning when the cleaning lady rang the bell but found no response, the police said. She informed the neighbours and the police who entered the house through another entry and found the officer unconscious.

She was immediately taken to the JLN Medical College Hospital for treatment.

The officer's brother filed a complaint against the two accused with the Civil Lines police station. Old enmity is believed to be the motive behind the crime.

The duo was booked for attempt to rape and murder besides several other charges of the Indian Penal Code.